Tool tells terrific tale: Monkey wrench donated to museum came from World War II, Korean War pilot

OROVILLE — When John "Jack" Randolf Bolt donated a monkey wrench to Bolt's Antique Tool Museum several years ago, the local Bolts had no idea he was a war hero and "double ace" Marine fighter pilot in the Korean War and World War II.

After the war hero died on Sept. 8, 2004, someone anonymously sent his obituary, said Bud Bolt, founder of the museum.

Although the pilot was not related to the Oroville Bolts, they wanted to honor him.

"That's what got us into the hero boards," Bud Bolt said at the museum on Thursday.

Now, the boards display about 11,000 antique tools to honor war heroes who have donated to the tool museum.

According to the Sept. 12, 2004 obituary published by www.washingtonpost.com, Jack Bolt had quite a war history.

"During the second World War, Col. Bolt was a member of the swashbuckling Marine Fighter Squadron 214, nicknamed the Black Sheep Squadron, led by legendary aviator Maj. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington. The squadron was credited with shooting down 97 Japanese airplanes in 1943 and 1944."

"After learning to fly jet fighters after World War II, Col. Bolt was assigned to fly with the Air Force during the Korean War. In a three-month period in 1953, flying F-86 Sabre jets, he shot down six Russian-built MiG-15s."

He was reportedly the only Marine "double ace" surviving from both the Korean War and World War II.

Bolt went to law school and became a attorney after he retired from the Marines.

Bolt was inducted into the Commemorative Air Force's American Combat Airman Hall of Fame in Midland, Tex. In addition to three awards of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Bolt received the Navy Cross "for extraordinary heroism."

Jack Bolt contacted the Oroville Bolts about 10 years ago to see if they were related.

Bud Bolt said according to family genealogy, there was no relationship.

"But we were delighted when the monkey wrench arrived at the house," Bolt said.

Bolt founded the tool museum in 2006.

Hero boards commemorate at least four other war veterans who have donated greatly to the museum at 1650 Broderick St.

The museum is thought to be the largest tool museum in the world.

Bolt, his wife and 24 other volunteers keep the museum open. About 38 percent of the volunteers are more than 80 years old, and many are more than 85 years old.

Bolt said they need younger volunteers who want to learn about the tools and keep the museum open when they retire.